FAA allows Boeing to resume certifying some new planes

Some good news has finally come for aircraft manufacturer- Boeing with the US regulators have given Boeing permission to once again certify the airworthiness of some of its newly built aircraft. This is looked upon as a sign of growing confidence in the company’s operations.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced that Boeing will now be allowed to issue airworthiness certificates for new 737 MAX and 787 Dreamliner aircraft on alternating weeks. During the other weeks, FAA inspectors will continue to perform the certification themselves.

Boeing previously held this authority, but it was withdrawn after a series of safety and production problems. These included the two deadly 737 MAX crashes in 2018 and 2019, which killed hundreds of people and led to the global grounding of the aircraft, as well as later quality-control issues on the 787-production line.

The FAA emphasized that the decision was based purely on safety.

“Safety drives everything we do, and the FAA will only allow this step forward because we are confident it can be done safely,” the agency said in a statement. It added that the move will also free up FAA inspectors to focus more closely on production oversight instead of routine certifications.

The announcement marks another step forward in Boeing’s efforts to rebuild trust after years of setbacks. The FAA allowed the 737 MAX to return to service in November 2020, but concerns resurfaced after a January 2024 incident when an Alaska Airlines 737 MAX was forced to make an emergency landing after a window panel blew out mid-flight.

In addition to the MAX troubles, the FAA had also suspended Boeing’s authority to issue certificates for the 787 Dreamliner in 2022 due to manufacturing quality concerns.

Industry experts say the latest FAA decision shows confidence in the leadership of Kelly Ortberg, who became Boeing’s CEO in August 2024. Ortberg, a veteran aviation executive, has said improving Boeing’s corporate culture remains a “work in progress,” but that significant progress has already been made.

Boeing is also expected to request a production rate increase for the 737 MAX later this year, reflecting stronger stability in its operations.